Christmas fun for all the family at The Atkinson in Southport

Saturday December 7, 2pm - enjoy a screening of The Snowman and The Snowman and The Snow dog double-bill. Tickets £3 for both films or £2 for one.

Free cinema screenings, magic lantern show, children's theatre, Santa visit andSouthport Christmas Lights switch-on countdown

The Atkinson, on Lord Street in Southport is looking forward to a Christmas season jam-packed packed with special events, activities and performances. Many of them are free!

Running alongside its normal busy event and exhibition programme for the festive period, The Atkinson is offering Snowflake Arts & Crafts, a Victorian Magic Lantern Christmas Show, classic Ballet with Swan Lake, Carols and Capers with Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band a Christmas Arts & Craft market, plus free family films and even a visit from Santa!

The programme begins this Saturday November 22 with the Christmas Arts & Craft Market in partnership with Capstan’s Bazaar from 11am to 4pm. During the day there will be free family Christmas Crafts delivered by Southport Contemporary Artists, and create your own funny Queen Knickers bags in the children’s library (12pm-2pm) inspired by the performance of The Queen’s Knickers at 2.30pm (suitable for ages three and over).

The Atkinson is starting the countdown to the Southport Christmas Lights Switch on celebrations from 5pm. Come and hear local choirs and organisations perform while you enjoy a mulled wine and a mince pie whilst watching the light switch-on, from the best spot in town.

Other seasonal highlights include:

To celebrate Christmas The Atkinson and Southport Bid are presenting three free classic Christmas films for you to enjoy together.

Polar Express on Saturday November 29 at 2pm, White Christmas on Thursday December 18 at 2.30pm & 7.30pm and Santa Claus The Movie on Wednesday December 24 at 2.30pm. Tickets are limited to four per person.

Sunday November 30, 2.30pm - Andrew Gill returns with his Victorian Magic Lantern Christmas Show illustrating Victorian life and telling tories about how audiences were entertained at Christmas 100 years ago.

Monday, December 1, 1pm - Enjoy Cake & Choral. The Voices of Hope, a six-piece a cappella group from Liverpool Hope University perform a wide repertoire from madrigals and part songs to arrangements of traditional and popular music (£10).

Saturday December 7 - Santa pays a visit 11am-1pm. In the children’s library little ones can listen to A Snowy Storytime at 11.30am & 12.30pm and take part in the Make Your Own Christmas Snowflakes, 12pm-1pm. Help decorate the library with them, or take them home.

Family fun continues at 2pm with a screening of The Snowman and The Snowman and The Snow dog double-bill. Tickets £3 for both films or £2 for one.

Monday, December 8, 1pm - launch of a new series of lunchtime Cake & Classical Music concerts. First concert is with L’Orchestra dell’Arte Wind Quartet (£10).

Thursday, December 11 - Ballet UK returns with Swan Lake.

Thursday December 11 5pm-8pm - special event, get 10% off all items bought in the Gift Shop and enjoy a free glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.

Saturday, December 13 - seasonal Carols and Capers with Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band.

Sunday December 14, 2pm & 4pm - The People’s Theatre Company presents Santa in Love. Find out a Christmas secret in this fun filled family musical complete with games, giggles and all your favourite Christmas songs. Tickets are £8 and include a meet and greet with Santa and a present for every child. Suitable for ages two-seven. Saturday December 21 - live screening of the Bolshio Ballet present The Nutcracker, tickets £10.

Saturday, December 20, 11am-4pm - A Very Merry Vintage Fair. Stalls selling vintage clothing, accessories, jewellery, home-ware and more.

Saturday December 20 at 7.30pm - screening of Frank Capra’s 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life. Tickets £4.

For more details visit www.theatkinson.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01704 533333.

Story Source: Southport Visitor